Museums during


Covid-19 by John Killick


D


URING THE SUMMER of lockdowns and Covid-19 restrictions, I mentioned going for a country drive or walk along one of those old railway track beds as a way of getting out without putting yourself in danger, so here is another – open-air museums. This could include most National Trust properties. You will need to book in advance, and it will almost definitely not include entrance to the house but should include parks and gardens. Wildlife parks such as the Wetlands and Wildfowl Trust (hides may well be closed), and open-air museums such as the Tramways Museum in Derbyshire and Beamish Open-Air Museum in Co. Durham, todays subject. Why it does not seem to include Zoos, which are also outside venues I haven’t a clue!


Beamish, like most of the others, needs to be booked in advance. Ticket prices may sound a little steep but usually include a year’s membership (you can visit as many


Rowley Station


Rowley Signal Box


times as you like), just book first. Booking is essential for many National Trust properties too. Once you have paid your annual subscription though there should be no other charges. Warning though, Beamish like most such sites may have done everything possible for disabled access, including disabled loos, but the terrain will not be exactly flat. Beamish was built in a bowl- shaped depression!!! You will require a good pusher or power chair to get around. This is a very big site and both a vintage bus and tram services, plus its own railways, are usually running. However, we are not in


Checking the timetable 34 Ability Needs Magazine


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